February 2024
Thursday, February 29
7:30 a.m.
Met with Admiral Lisa Franchetti (Chief of Naval Operations)
9:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from the National Indian Education Association: Dana Bremner (Blackfeet/Little Shell Chippewa); Lea Whitford (Blackfeet) Lucy Real Bird (Crow/Cheyenne); and Chris Bordeaux
9:15 a.m.
Met with representatives from USAFRICOM
9:45 a.m.
Met with representatives from Montana Certified Seed Potato Growers: Dan Lake (Ronan); Tim, Ashley and Brenna Venhuizen; Jason and Benjamin Kimm; Ben De Jonge; and Kurt Dykema
10:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from SIFMA: Joe Sweeney (Ameriprise President, Advice & Wealth Management, Products and Service Delivery); John Cherry (Northern Trust, President & Head of North America Brokerage); Mark Quinn (Cetera, Director of Regulatory Affairs); Tracy Hanson (RBC Wealth Management, Director of Retirement Solutions); Matthew Watts (Raymond James, Senior Vice President of Supervision); Ken Bentsen (CEO and President of SIFMA); and Nick Key (AVP of SIFMA Federal Government Affairs)
10:30 a.m.
Met with representatives of the Department of the Air Force
11:30 a.m.
Attended bipartisan classified briefing
11:40 a.m.
Senate floor session
12:15 p.m.
Rural Press Call
12:45 p.m.
Met with represenatives from the American Society of Civil Engineers: Michael Kynett (Great Falls) and Lexi Leffler (Billings)
12:50 p.m.
Attended DPCC meeting
3:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
6:26 p.m.
Senate floor session
Wednesday, February 28
8:00 a.m.
Met with John Hinckle from Gallatin County 911
8:15 a.m.
Montana Constituent Coffee
9:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from Montana PBS: Dax Schieffer, Aaron Pruitt, Pat Doyle, Anne Hosler, Peg Wherry, and Jessica Crist
9:20 a.m.
Press interview
9:45 a.m.
Met with representatives from American Rivers: Scott Bosse (Bozeman); Mike Garcia (Bozeman); Caroline Byrd (Missoula); John Costello; Clay Moorhead; Trevor Price; and Kelsey Cruickshank
10:00 a.m.
Attended Commerce Committee hearing
10:05 a.m.
Met with representatives from the American Institute of Architects: Anthony Houtz (Component President, AIA Montana, Great Falls); Josie Wilgus (Component Board Member, Billings); and Brian Wall (AIA Canada)
10:10 a.m.
Met with Dr. Jeffrey Zavala from American Academy of Family Physicians (Member, Board of Directors, Billings)
11:30 a.m.
Senate floor session
11:35 a.m.
Met with representatives from the S2 Corporation: Kris Merkel (CEO, Bozeman) and Misha Lehrer
12:45 p.m.
Attended Committee Chairs meeting
2:00 p.m.
Press interview
2:15 p.m.
Senate floor session
2:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Montana Space Consortium: Angela Des Jardins, Meredith Hecker, Chris Flynn, Daniel Johnson and Noah Netz
3:30 p.m.
Chaired Veterans Affairs Committee hearing
5:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
Tuesday, February 27
9:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from the National Marrow Donor Program: Chantel Schieffer (Caregiver/Family of Patient, Helena); Jennifer Hawkins (Caregiver/Donor); and Kate Feuling Porter
9:15 a.m.
Accepted the Association of American State Geologists “Pick and Gavel” Award and met with John Metesh, Director and State Geologist, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Montana Technology University
9:30 a.m.
Met with leadership from U.S. Space Command: General Stephen Whiting (Commander); Brigadier General Brian Sidari (J2 Director); and Colonel Jason Adams (Chief of LA)
10:30 a.m.
Virtually read to Moore Public School students
11:00 a.m.
Senate floor session
11:05 a.m.
Met with Rare Disease Legislative Advocates: Jennifer Banna; Grace Lee Banna; and Kyliegh Gregory, Missoula
11:15 a.m.
Delivered remarks virtually at the Western Native Voice Tribal Council Gathering
12:00 p.m.
Delivered remarks at the Disabled American Veterans Women Veterans Report Rollout
12:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from The American Legion Boys Nation: Keatin Hertz (Billings) and Darci Hertz
12:45 p.m.
Attended Democratic Caucus
2:15 p.m.
Senate floor session
2:20 p.m.
Met with Jon and Eli Nehring, Helena
2:30 p.m.
Met virtually with representatives from the Montana Primary Care Association: Cindy Stergar, CEO MPCA; Stacey Anderson, Policy Director MPCA; William Preston, CEO, Alluvion Health; Tina Randall, Butte Native Wellness Center; Dr. David Mark, CEO, oneHealth; Leonard Smith, Executive Director, Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center; Lander Cooney, CEO, Community Health Partners; Mary Sterhan, CEO, Greater Valley Health Center; Betsy Seglem, CEO, Glacier Community Health Center; Todd Wilson, Executive Director, Helena Indian Alliance; Rachel Arthur, Executive Director, Indian Family Health Center; Jamie Brownell, CEO, Marias Health Center; Maria Clemons, Executive Director, Northwest Community Health Center; Lara Salazar, CEO, Partnership Health Center; Justin Murgel, Executive Director, PureView Health Center; Jon Forte, President and CEO, RiverStone Health; Kelly Duncan, CEO, Sapphire Community Health Center; Tammy Cox, CEO, Southwest Montana Community Health Center
3:30 p.m.
Press interview
5:45 p.m.
Senate floor session
Monday, February 26
4:10 p.m.
Delivered remarks at The American Legion Washington Conference
5:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
Friday, February 23
1:00 p.m.
Attended Missoula VA Medical Disabilities Examinations Clinic Grand Opening
2:15 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Missoula Chamber of Commerce: Mark Losh, CEO; Zachary Bashoor, Board Chair; and John Brauer, Incoming Board Chair
Wednesday, February 21
10:00 a.m.
Press interview
Tuesday, February 13
5:15 a.m.
Senate floor session
Monday, February 12
12:00 p.m.
Senate floor session
1:00 p.m.
Phone call with Dr. Shereef Elnahal (Under Secretary for Health, Department of Veterans’ Affairs)
1:40 p.m.
Met with Missoula County Commisioner Juanita Vero, along with Abria Boze, Lia Biondo, and Allison Corbyn from Western Skies Strategies
4:00 p.m.
Attended Montana Association of Counties Congressional Delegation Reception
5:00 p.m.
Press interview
5:15 p.m.
Press interview
8:22 p.m.
Senate floor session
Sunday, February 11
1:00 p.m.
Senate floor session
Friday, February 9
1:00 p.m.
Delivered floor remarks
7:00 p.m.
Senate floor session
Thursday, February 8
9:00 a.m.
Attended Banking Committee Hearing
10:00 a.m.
Attended Commerce Committee Markup
10:30 a.m.
Attended Indian Affairs Committee Hearing
11:45 a.m.
Press interview
12:00 p.m.
Senate floor session
12:05 p.m.
Met with representatives from Friends of the Children: Ben Davis (Western Montana Executive Director); Nina Hernandez (Eastern Montana Executive Director); and Tasha Mousseau (Chief Officer of Advancement and Tribal Relations)
12:15 p.m.
Met with Brandon Judd (President, National Border Patrol Council) and Andy Quinn
Wednesday, February 7
8:15 a.m.
Montana Constituent Coffee
9:15 a.m.
Press interview
9:30 a.m.
Met with representatives from The Kennedy Center National Community Partnerships: Micah Hill (Superintendent, Missoula County Public Schools); Sienna Solberg (Executive Director, SPARK! Arts Ignite Learning of Missoula); and Karen Kaofmann
9:55 a.m.
Met with Joanie Rowland (Crow) and Jody Cahoon (CSKT) from the National American Indian Housing Council
10:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Montana Department of Transportation: Mack Long (Director); Larry Flynn (Deputy Director); Dwane Kailey (Chief Operating Officer); Rob Stapley (Division Administrator, Rail, Transit & Planning Division); and John DeVierno (Attorney)
10:15 a.m.
Meet with representatives from the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council and the American Pulse Association: Paul Kanning (USADPLC Vice Chairman, Flaxville); Todd Hansen (MT Grower, Gilford); Jeff Winkler (MT Grower, Fort Benton); and Liz Edmundson (MPCC Executive Director, Cascade)
11:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from Montana Rural Water: John Camden (Executive Director, Great Falls); Allen Kelm (National Director, Miles City); and Daryl Keys (Fort Peck)
12:00 p.m.
Joint Senate & House Defense Appropriations Chairs & Ranking Members Meeting with Senator Susan Collins, Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Congressman Ken Calvert
1:00 p.m.
Met with representatives from the American Indian Higher Education Consortium: Sean Chandler (President) Kimberly Barrows (Admin), and Morgan Johnson (Student),Aaniiih Nakoda College; Melissa Weatherwax (Faculty), Lisa Aims back (Student), and J’Vohn Lopez (Student), Blackfeet Community College; Eva Flying (President) and Kyla Kwandibens (Student), Chief Dull Knife College; Craig Smith (Admin), Jestin Dupree (Admin), and Jared Pipe (Student), Fort Peck Community College;David Yarlott (President), Shaleen Old Coyote (Admin), and Joseph He Does It, Little Big Horn College; Sandra Boham (President), Lindy Warden (Faculty), Anona Francis (Student), and Frankie Wright (Student), Salish Kootenai College; Cory Sangrey-Billy (President), Anthony Russette (Faculty), Elizabeth Patacsil (Student), Gaile Torres, and Jasmyn Torresm Zander Jordan, Stone Child College; and Sarah Lamson (AIHEC/BPAG)
1:15 p.m.
Met with Elizabeth McFarland (ranch operator, Otter) and Andrew Wilkins from the National Wildlife Federation
2:00 p.m.
Senate floor session
3:15 p.m.
Met with representatives from the National Park Foundation: Bill Singer (Board Member); Brien O’Brien (NPF Board Member) and Will Shafroth (NPF CEO), and Sara Tucker, Scott Anderson, and Juliet Gilliam
10:30 p.m.
Press interview
Tuesday, February 6
7:30 a.m.
Met with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall
9:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: Principal Chief Michell Hicks; Chairman Mike Parker; Council members Boyd Owle, Jim Owle, Tom Wahnetah, Michael Stamper, and Richard French; Tosh Welch, Bill Taylor, and Paxton Myers; and Counsel Hayden Rogers, Wilson Pipestem, and Heath Shuler
9:15 a.m.
Met with representatives from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs: Mike Missal (Inspector General); Dr. Jennifer Baptiste (Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Healthcare Inspections); Lori Lohar (Director of Women’s Health); and Mike Cheman (Congressional Relations)
10:00 a.m.
Met with representatives from Flathead Valley Community College: Jane Karas (President) and Travis Steindorf (Board of Trustees Member)
10:30 a.m.
Met with leadership from Schneider’s: Mark Rourke (CEO); Thom Jackson (General Counsel); and Rosemary Becchi (Strategic Advisor and Counsel, Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Schreck LLP)
11:30 a.m.
Senate floor session
12:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from Special Olympics International: Stacey Johnston-Gleason (MT Athlete); Rhonda McCarty (MT Program CEO); Brandy Peterson (MT Athlete); Mary Davis (CEO, Special Olympics); Kate Dart (Chief of Staff, Office of the Chairman); and Alyssa Cress (Specialist, Inclusive Leadership Development, Special Olympics International)
12:50 p.m.
Met with Jim and Rebecca Goodman
2:15 p.m.
Senate floor session
2:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from the American Veterinary Medical Association: Dr. Beth Blevins (Ronan); Ashley Morgan and Colin Maccarthy
3:00 p.m.
Phone Call with General Michael Kurilla and Senator Susan Collins
3:30 p.m.
Met with Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks and Senator Susan Collins
5:15 p.m.
Met with John Cech (President, Carroll College) and Victoria Cech
5:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
Monday, February 5
12:30 p.m.
Statewide Press Call
3:00 p.m.
Met virtually with representatives from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: Julie Geddes (Montana Advocacy Team Chair, Bozeman); Pam Western (Bozeman); Amanda Brown (Bozeman); Hilary Rasker (Bozeman); Jared Bean (Eureka) and Charlotte Gimpelson (Missoula)
3:30 p.m.
Phone call with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
5:30 p.m.
Senate floor session
Friday, February 2
9:00 a.m.
Met with Alli Bristow (Representing Montana at the American School Counselor of the year) and her two sons Ian and Noah Williford (Florence)
9:30 a.m.
Met with Garrett Anders, intern for Representative Pete Stauber
2:30 p.m.
Phone call with Martha Williams (Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Thursday, February 1
9:00 a.m.
Met virtually with Dave Strohmaier (Missoula County Commissioner), Jess Peterson, and Allison Corbyn
9:30 a.m.
Met with representatives from Trout Unlimited: Chris Wood (President) and Corey Fisher (Public Land Policy Director, Missoula)
10:00 a.m.
Attended Banking Committee Hearing
11:30 a.m.
Senate floor session
12:45 p.m.
Attended DPCC meeting
1:45 p.m.
Senate floor session
2:15 p.m.
Press interview
2:30 p.m.
Press interview
3:30 p.m.
Met with representatives from the Montana Grain Growers Association: Eric Hanson (Board Member) and Liz Edmundson (Director, Montana Pulse Crop Committee)
3:55 p.m.
Met with representatives from Connections Health Solutions: Chris Santarsiero (Vice President, Government Affairs) and Katie Waldo
4:45 p.m.
Press interview
5:00 p.m.
Press interview
5:10 p.m.
Press interview
5:20 p.m.
Press interview